John Baird

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have asked questions about giving big campaign contributions to the Conservative Party caucus. In fact, it is our Prime Minister who eliminated the influence of big money from politics. There are no more $5,000 cocktail parties and no more evenings where a couple of million bucks are raised in a night. That is something the Prime Minister can be very proud of.

Still, small, modest donations can be made to political parties, just as I understand one of these individuals made to the member for Bourassa.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the individual is not a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He has never been a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He has never been an organizer for the Conservative Party of Canada. He has never been an adviser to the Conservative Party of Canada.

I do understand that a few donations have been made but, of course, they could not be big donations thanks to the Federal Accountability Act.

Maybe the member opposite should check his party's own records. I understand that the individual has also donated money to the member for Bourassa.

[Veterans Affairs, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this government will stand by our veterans and we will do everything that is humanely possible to ensure their privacy is respected.

Our government has stepped up to the table with record investments to support our veterans and our men and women in uniform. We are showing the greatest respect possible for those who serve and who have served our country.

Regrettably, far too often when we bring an issue to the floor in this regard it is the NDP that stands up and votes against it.

[Veterans Affairs, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have two things to say.

First, the independent Privacy Commissioner has looked into this matter. We appreciate the fine work that she has done and every recommendation in her report will be listened to.

Second, veterans in this country can count on the Minister of Veterans Affairs to forcefully advocate for their interests and to ensure that their privacy and dignity is respected. That is a solemn pledge. The minister has delivered more for veterans in the last few months than in Canadian history.

[Veterans Affairs, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our country and every Canadian owes a great debt to our veterans. They served Canadians bravely in world wars and peace missions around the world. They are serving Canadians very well in Afghanistan right now as we speak.

I want to be very clear. Protecting the privacy and the dignity of Canadian veterans is a significant priority for this government. No effort will be spared. Any violation of the law will not be tolerated anywhere in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. This government has always acted with high ethical standards.

Our first priority when we were elected to government was to bring in the Federal Accountability Act, the toughest anti-corruption legislation in Canadian history. That also eliminated the influence of big money in politics. That is perhaps the best thing that this Prime Minister or any prime minister has ever done to clean up the way Ottawa works.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, no minister in our government has ever been responsible for party fundraising.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, after years of Liberal scandals, our government's first priority after the 2006 election was to bring in the Federal Accountability Act. We are very proud that this initiative sets the highest ethical standards in Canadian history. There are many acts and regulations in place, and every Canadian must obey them. Anyone who breaks the rules will face the full force of the law.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts. The individual the Bloc leader is talking about is not and has never been a member of the Conservative Party. He was formerly an advisor to the Conservative Party, but he is neither a Conservative Party member nor an organizer. Those are the facts.

[Government Contracts, October 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, after years of Liberal scandals, it was our government whose first priority when we were elected to this place was to bring in the Federal Accountability Act. As the highest ethical standards ever brought into this House as legislative reform, it was quickly adopted and it imposes obligations on every Canadian when it comes to ethics. Anyone who breaks the rules will face the full force of the law.